Stream: Kevin Gates, “Get up on My Level”

Kevin Gates reps Louisiana, diplomatically squashes beefs, and gets a bit cockier on “Get Up On My Level,” a peek at his upcoming album.

Kevin Gates seems to have grown a bit cockier after a huge 2013 (a deal with Atlantic, a stunning mixtape and a debut retail album). His latest, "Get up on My Level," is still marked by the pained, hyper-contemplative storytelling he's mastered, but he also sounds more self-assertive than ever, recounting being fresh to death in Central Booking. He also puts on super-hard for his state, claiming I want every nigga that rap in Louisiana to make it, while diplomatically brushing off shit-talkers. "Get up on My Level" will appear on Gates' upcoming By Any Means album, which drops on iTunes March 18th and features 2 Chainz, Rico Love, Plies, and the late Doe B.